Shallow trench isolation forming method and structures resulting therefrom

ABSTRACT

A method includes forming a first plurality of fins in a first region of a substrate, a first recess being interposed between adjacent fins in the first region of the substrate, the first recess having a first depth and a first width, forming a second plurality of fins in a second region of the substrate, a second recess being interposed between adjacent fins in the second region of the substrate, the second recess having a second depth and a second width, the second width of the second recess being less than the first width of the first recess, the second depth of the second recess being less than the first depth of the first recess, forming a first dielectric layer in the first recess and the second recess, and converting the first dielectric layer in the first recess and the second recess to a treated dielectric layer.

BACKGROUND

Semiconductor devices are used in a variety of electronic applications,such as, for example, personal computers, cell phones, digital cameras,and other electronic equipment. Semiconductor devices are typicallyfabricated by sequentially depositing insulating or dielectric layers,conductive layers, and semiconductor layers of material over asemiconductor substrate, and patterning the various material layersusing lithography to form circuit components and elements thereon.

The semiconductor industry continues to improve the integration densityof various electronic components (e.g., transistors, diodes, resistors,capacitors, etc.) by continual reductions in minimum feature size, whichallow more components to be integrated into a given area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the followingdetailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It isnoted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry,various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of thevarious features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity ofdiscussion.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a FinFET in a three-dimensional view,in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8A are cross-sectional views of intermediatestages in the manufacturing of FinFETs, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 8B shows dielectric layer conversion depth versus anneal timetraces for an anneal process, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14A, 14B, 15A, 15B, 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D, 17A,17B, 18A, 18B, 19A, 19B, 20A, 20B, 20C, 21A, 21B, 22A, and 22B arecross-sectional views of intermediate stages in the manufacturing ofFinFETs, in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, orexamples, for implementing different features of the invention. Specificexamples of components and arrangements are described below to simplifythe present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and arenot intended to be limiting. For example, the formation of a firstfeature over or on a second feature in the description that follows mayinclude embodiments in which the first and second features are formed indirect contact, and may also include embodiments in which additionalfeatures may be formed between the first and second features, such thatthe first and second features may not be in direct contact. In addition,the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters inthe various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicityand clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between thevarious embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

Further, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,”“above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatiallyrelative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of thedevice in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted inthe figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degreesor at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors usedherein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.

Various embodiments include methods applied to, but not limited to theformation of a Shallow Trench Isolation (STI) region. The embodiments ofthe present disclosure are discussed in the context of forming a FinField-Effect Transistor (FinFET) device. However, the methods of thepresent disclosure may be applicable to other types of devices (e.g., ananostructure (including nanowire and gate all around) field effecttransistor (NSFET), or the like). These embodiments include methodsapplied to, but not limited to the formation of a first dielectric layerin a first region of a die and in a second region of the die. A firstpair of adjacent fins are separated by a first width in the first regionand a second pair of adjacent fins are separated by a second widthdifferent than the first width in the second region. For example, a findensity in the first region may be less than a fin density in the secondregion. Subsequently, a conversion process is applied to convert thefirst dielectric material to a second dielectric material in the firstregion and the second region. When the first dielectric material isbetween two adjacent fins, an efficiency of conversion as well as a rateof conversion of the first dielectric material to the second dielectricmaterial is dependent on a width between sidewalls of the two adjacentfins. This may have undesirable effects, such as a non-uniform depth ofconversion between the first dielectric layer in the first region andthe first dielectric layer in the second region. This may have anegative impact on the quality and the composition of the convertedsecond dielectric layer and affect an etch rate of a subsequent etchingprocess, which may result in uneven etching in the first region and thesecond region and also impact electrical performance. The embodiments ofthe present disclosure describe a process that results in the convertedsecond dielectric layer in the first region and the converted seconddielectric layer in the second region having a more uniform quality andcomposition. In addition, the embodiments of this disclosure allow foran ability to control the converted second dielectric layer thicknessand depth uniformity in the first region and the second region andallows for a complete conversion of the first dielectric material to thesecond dielectric material in both the first region and the secondregion.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a FinFET in a three-dimensional view,in accordance with some embodiments. The FinFET comprises a fin 52 or afin 53 on a substrate 50 (e.g., a semiconductor substrate). Isolationregions 56 are disposed in the substrate 50, and the fin 52 or the fin53 protrudes above and from between neighboring isolation regions 56.Although the isolation regions 56 are described/illustrated as beingseparate from the substrate 50, as used herein the term “substrate” maybe used to refer to just the semiconductor substrate or a semiconductorsubstrate inclusive of isolation regions. Additionally, although the fin52 or the fin 53 is illustrated as a single, continuous material as thesubstrate 50, the fin 52 or the fin 53 and/or the substrate 50 maycomprise a single material or a plurality of materials. In this context,the fin 52 or the fin 53 refers to the portion extending between theneighboring isolation regions 56.

A gate dielectric layer 92 is along sidewalls and over a top surface ofthe fin 52 or the fin 53, and a gate electrode 94 is over the gatedielectric layer 92. Source/drain regions 82 are disposed in oppositesides of the fin 52 or the fin 53 with respect to the gate dielectriclayer 92 and gate electrode 94. FIG. 1 further illustrates referencecross-sections that are used in later figures. Cross-section A-A isalong a longitudinal axis of the gate electrode 94 and in a direction,for example, perpendicular to the direction of current flow between thesource/drain regions 82 of the FinFET. Cross-section B-B isperpendicular to cross-section A-A and is along a longitudinal axis ofthe fin 52 or the fin 53 and in a direction of, for example, a currentflow between the source/drain regions 82 of the FinFET. Cross-sectionC-C is parallel to cross-section A-A and extends through a source/drainregion of the FinFET. Subsequent figures refer to these referencecross-sections for clarity.

Some embodiments discussed herein are discussed in the context ofFinFETs formed using a gate-last process. In other embodiments, agate-first process may be used. Also, some embodiments contemplateaspects used in nanostructure (e.g., nanosheet, nanowire,gate-all-around, or the like) field effect transistors (NSFETs), or thelike.

FIGS. 2 through 8A and FIGS. 9 through 22B are cross-sectional views ofintermediate stages in the manufacturing of FinFETs, in accordance withsome embodiments. FIGS. 2 through 8A and FIGS. 9 through 13 illustratereference cross-section A-A illustrated in FIG. 1, except for multiplefins/FinFETs. FIGS. 14A, 15A, 16A, 17A, 18A, 19A, 20A, 21A, and 22A areillustrated along reference cross-section A-A illustrated in FIG. 1, andFIGS. 14B, 15B, 16B, 17B, 18B, 19B, 20B, 20C, 21B, and 22B areillustrated along a similar cross-section B-B illustrated in FIG. 1,except for multiple fins/FinFETs. FIGS. 16C and 16D are illustratedalong reference cross-section C-C illustrated in FIG. 1, except formultiple fins/FinFETs.

In FIG. 2, a substrate 50 is provided. The substrate 50 may be asemiconductor substrate, such as a bulk semiconductor, asemiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, or the like, which may bedoped (e.g., with a p-type or an n-type dopant) or undoped. Thesubstrate 50 may be a wafer, such as a silicon wafer. Generally, an SOIsubstrate is a layer of a semiconductor material formed on an insulatorlayer. The insulator layer may be, for example, a buried oxide (BOX)layer, a silicon oxide layer, or the like. The insulator layer isprovided on a substrate, typically a silicon or glass substrate. Othersubstrates, such as a multi-layered or gradient substrate may also beused. In some embodiments, the semiconductor material of the substrate50 may include silicon; germanium; a compound semiconductor includingsilicon carbide, gallium arsenide, gallium phosphide, indium phosphide,indium arsenide, and/or indium antimonide; an alloy semiconductorincluding silicon-germanium, gallium arsenide phosphide, aluminum indiumarsenide, aluminum gallium arsenide, gallium indium arsenide, galliumindium phosphide, and/or gallium indium arsenide phosphide; orcombinations thereof.

In FIG. 3, fins 52 are formed in a first region 46 of the substrate 50.The fins 52 are semiconductor strips. In some embodiments, the fins 52may be formed in the substrate 50 by etching trenches 26 in thesubstrate 50. The etching may be one or more of any acceptable etchprocess, such as a reactive ion etch (RIE), neutral beam etch (NBE), thelike, or a combination thereof. The etching may be anisotropic. Althoughthe fins 52 are illustrated in FIG. 3 as having linear edges, the fins52 may have rounded edges or any other suitable shape.

In FIG. 4, a hard mask layer 49 is formed over the structure illustratedin FIG. 3. The hard mask layer 49 may comprise silicon nitride, siliconoxynitride, silicon carbide, silicon carbo-nitride, or the like. InFIGS. 4 through 5, the hard mask layer 49 is patterned and used as anetching mask to further etch the substrate 50 and form the fins 53 in asecond region 48 of the substrate 50. As a result, the semiconductorbase 51 is formed. Although the fins 53 are illustrated in FIG. 5 ashaving linear edges, the fins 53 may have rounded edges or any othersuitable shape.

In FIG. 6, the hard mask layer 49 is removed by a suitable process.Although they seem adjacent, the first region 46 may be physicallyseparated from the second region 48 (as illustrated by divider 33), andany number of device features (e.g., other active devices, dopedregions, isolation structures, etc.) may be disposed between the firstregion 46 and the second region 48. The first region 46 comprises fins52 and the second region 48 comprises fins 53, wherein the fins 52 andthe fins 53 are semiconductor strips. In accordance with someembodiments of the present disclosure, the second region 48 may bereferred to as having crown-shape fins. Second region 48 includes asemiconductor base 51 and the fins 53 over and extending upwards fromthe semiconductor base 51. Although FIG. 6 illustrates that there aretwo fins 52 and three fins 53, the number of the fins 52 and the fins 53may be any integer number such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more.

The fins 52 and the fins 53 may be also be formed using alternateembodiments. These may include etching substrate 50 to form the fins 53,forming a sacrificial spacer layer to cover the sidewalls and thebottoms of the fins 53, and using the sacrificial spacer layers incombination with a hard mask as an etching mask to further etchsubstrate 50. As a result, the semiconductor base 51 is formed. The fins52 have no sacrificial spacer layer formed on their sidewalls, and henceno semiconductor base is formed underneath. Rather, the top parts of thefins 52 may be formed simultaneously with the fins 53, and the bottomparts of the fins 52 are formed when the semiconductor base 51 isformed. The bottoms of the fins 52 thus may be substantially coplanarwith the bottom of the semiconductor base 51. The sacrificial spacerlayers are then removed. Other methods of forming the fins 52, the fins53 and the semiconductor base 51 may be used as well.

The fins may be patterned by any suitable method. For example, the fins52 and the fins 53 may be patterned using one or more photolithographyprocesses, including double-patterning or multi-patterning processes.Generally, double-patterning or multi-patterning processes combinephotolithography and self-aligned processes, allowing patterns to becreated that have, for example, pitches smaller than what is otherwiseobtainable using a single, direct photolithography process. For example,in one embodiment, a sacrificial layer is formed over a substrate andpatterned using a photolithography process. Spacers are formed alongsidethe patterned sacrificial layer using a self-aligned process. Thesacrificial layer is then removed, and the remaining spacers may then beused to pattern the fins. In some embodiments, the mask (or other layer)may remain on the fins 52 and the fins 53.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fins52 may have a height H1 that may be in a range from about 100 nm toabout 180 nm, or in a range from about 100 nm to about 200 nm. Thesemiconductor base 51 may have a height H2 that may be in a range fromabout 10 nm to about 60 nm, or in a range from about 10 nm to about 100nm and the fins 53 may have a height H3 that may be in a range fromabout 40 nm to about 170 nm, or in a range from about 10 nm to 100 nm.Adjacent fins 52 in the first region 46 may have a width W1 betweensidewalls of the adjacent fins 52 and adjacent fins 53 in the secondregion 48 may have a width W2 between sidewalls of the adjacent fins 53.The width W1 may be larger than the width W2. For example, a fin densityof the fins 52 in the first region 46 may be less than a fin density ofthe fins 53 in the second region 48. The width W1 may be in a range fromabout 40 nm to about 200 nm and the Width W2 may be in a range fromabout 15 nm to about 40 nm. The semiconductor base 51 may have a widthW3 that is in a range from about 40 nm to about 140 nm. Each of the fins53 may have a width W4 that may be in a range from about 2 nm to about20 nm. In addition, a width W5 between a sidewall of an outermost fin 52in the first region 46 and a sidewall of an outermost fin in the secondregion 48 may be in a range from about 40 nm to about 100 nm. It hasbeen observed that when the fins 52, the semiconductor base 51, and thefins 53 have the above height H1, H2, and H3 respectively, and adjacentfins 52 in the first region 46 have the above width W1 between sidewallsof the adjacent fins 52, and adjacent fins 53 in the second region 48have the above width W2 between sidewalls of the adjacent fins 53,advantages can be achieved. For example, when the semiconductor base 51has a height H2 that is larger than 10 nm or the fins 53 have a heightH3 in a range from 30 nm to 100 nm, a portion of a subsequently formedfirst dielectric layer 54 in the second region 48 may be leftunconverted after a conversion process (see FIG. 8A) to convert thefirst dielectric layer 54 in the first region 46 and the second region48 to a second dielectric layer 55. As another example, when thesemiconductor base 51 has a height H2 that is larger than 60 nm andlarger than 100 nm, after the subsequent conversion process (see FIG.8A) to convert the first dielectric layer 54 in the first region 46 andthe second region 48 to the second dielectric layer 55, a differencebetween a second concentration of nitrogen in the second region 48 and afirst concentration of nitrogen in the first region 46 may be higherthan ten percent of the first concentration. As a result of thedifference in nitrogen concentration, recessing of the second dielectriclayer 55 may be uneven during an etch back process to define STI regions(see FIG. 11). Accordingly, manufacturing defects may result.

By adjusting the heights of the fins 52 and the fins 53, the thicknessand depth uniformity of the subsequently converted second dielectriclayer 55 (See FIG. 9) in the first region 46 and the second region 48can be controlled and this allows for a complete conversion of the firstdielectric layer 54 to the second dielectric layer 55 in both the firstregion 46 and the second region 48.

In some embodiments, the fins 53 and the fins 52 are roughly the sameheight. For example, the height H1 of the fins 52 may be equal to a sumof the height H2 of the semiconductor base 51 and the height H3 of thefins 53. A first recess interposed between adjacent fins 52 has the sameor similar aspect ratio (H1/W1) with the aspect ratio (H3/W2) of asecond recess interposed between adjacent fins 53. In some examples, thesemiconductor base 51 may be lowered or even be omitted. For example,while the topmost surfaces of the fins 53 are lower than the topmostsurfaces of the fins 52, the semiconductor base 51 may be lowered sothat the second recess interposed between adjacent fins 53 has the sameor smaller aspect ratio (H3/W2) than the aspect ratio (H1/W1) of a firstrecess interposed between adjacent fins 52. In accordance with alternateembodiments of the present disclosure, a difference in height betweenthe fins 52 and the fins 53 is less than ten percent of the height ofthe fins 52.

In FIG. 7, the first dielectric layer 54 is formed over the substrate 50and between neighboring fins 52 and neighboring fins 53. The firstdielectric layer 54 may be formed by a flowable CVD (FCVD) (e.g., aCVD-based material deposition in a remote plasma system and post curingto make it convert to another material, such as an oxide) process, orthe like. In an embodiment, the first dielectric layer 54 is formed suchthat excess dielectric material of the first dielectric layer 54 coversthe fins 52 and the fins 53. Although the first dielectric layer 54 isillustrated as a single layer, some embodiments may utilize multiplelayers. For example, in some embodiments a liner (not shown) may firstbe formed along a surface of the substrate 50 and the fins 52 or thefins 53. Thereafter, a fill material, such as those discussed above maybe formed over the liner.

The FCVD process to form the first dielectric layer 54 may compriseexposing the first region 46, the second region 48, and the substrate 50to a silicon-containing precursor and a nitrogen-containing precursor.In some embodiments, the silicon-containing precursor is a polysilazane.Polysilazanes are polymers having a basic structure composed of siliconand nitrogen atoms in an alternating sequence. In polysilazanes, eachsilicon atom is usually bound to two nitrogen atoms, or each nitrogenatom is bound to two silicon atoms, so that these can be describedpredominantly as molecular chains of the formula [R₁R₂Si—NR₃]_(n). R₁-R₃can be hydrogen atoms or organic substituents.

In some embodiments, the silicon-containing precursor is a silylamine,such as trisilylamine (TSA), disilylamine (DSA), or a combinationthereof. One or more carrier gases may also be included with thesilicon-containing precursor. The carrier gases may include helium (He),argon (Ar), nitrogen (N₂), the like, or a combination thereof.

The nitrogen-containing precursor may include NH₃, N₂, the like, or acombination thereof. In some embodiments, the nitrogen-containingprecursor is activated into plasma in a remote plasma system (RPS)outside of the deposition chamber. An oxygen source gas, such as O₂ orthe like may be included with the nitrogen-containing precursor andactivated into plasma in the RPS. Plasma generated in the RPS is carriedinto the deposition chamber by a carrier gas, which includes He, Ar, N₂,the like, or a combination thereof, in some embodiments.

The silicon-containing precursor and the nitrogen-containing precursormix and react to deposit the first dielectric layer 54 containingsilicon and nitrogen over the substrate 50 and between neighboring fins52 and neighboring fins 53.

In FIG. 8A, an anneal process is illustrated to cure or treat the firstdielectric layer 54, wherein the first dielectric layer 54 is converted,such as by an oxidation process. The oxidation process can include ananneal in an oxygen-containing ambient (e.g., steam). The conversionprocess can convert the first dielectric layer 54 to a second dielectriclayer 55, which can be or include a silicon oxide (SiOx). In someembodiments, the anneal process may be a wet thermal anneal processperformed at a temperature in a range from about 300° C. to about 700°C., and for a duration of several hours. In some embodiments, the wetthermal anneal process may be performed at a pressure in a range fromabout 400 Torr to about 760 Torr. In some embodiments, the wet annealcomprises wet steam that may be generated by use of a water vaporgenerator, water vaporizer, or combining hydrogen and oxygen gases in atorch unit.

The wet anneal process may help to break the Si—N and Si—H bond in thefirst dielectric layer 54 and promote the formation of Si—Si and Si—Obond, in some embodiments. The efficiency of conversion and the rate ofconversion of the first dielectric layer 54 to the second dielectriclayer 55 may be different in the first region 46 compared to the secondregion 48. The rate of depth conversion of the first dielectric layer 54between two adjacent fins to the second dielectric layer 55 may bedependent on a width between the two adjacent fins, such that a largerwidth results in a higher rate of depth conversion. For example, thefirst region 46 may have a first rate of depth conversion R1 that ishigher than a second rate of depth conversion R2 of the second region48. The first rate of depth conversion R1 may be in a range from 7.75 to700 nm/(min)^(1/2) and the second rate of depth conversion R2 may be ina range of 6.2 to 600 nm/(min)^(1/2). As a result a bottom surface ofthe converted second dielectric layer 55 in the second region 48 may behigher than a bottom surface of the converted second dielectric layer 55in the first region 46 by a height H4.

In some embodiments, a concentration of nitrogen in the seconddielectric layer 55 in the first region 46 and the second region 48 maybe in a range from 1×10¹⁹ atoms/cm³ to 1×10²¹ atoms/cm³. In someembodiments, a concentration of nitrogen in the second dielectric layer55 in the second region 48 may be within 10 percent of a concentrationof nitrogen in the second dielectric layer 55 in the first region 46.

FIG. 8B shows examples of first dielectric layer 54 conversion depthversus anneal time traces for the anneal process that converts the firstdielectric layer 54 to the second dielectric layer 55 as described abovein FIG. 8A. The trace 140 corresponds to a slope A that describes aconversion rate for the first dielectric layer 54 between a pair ofadjacent fins that may be in the first region 46 while the trace 150corresponds to a slope B that describes a conversion rate for the firstdielectric layer 54 between a pair of adjacent fins that may be in thesecond region 48. A conversion rate of the first dielectric layer 54between two adjacent fins to the second dielectric layer 55 may bedependent on a width between the two adjacent fins, such that a largerwidth results in a higher conversion rate. A fin density of the fins 52in the first region 46 may be less than a fin density of the fins 53 inthe second region 48 and a width between two adjacent fins 52 in thefirst region 46 may be larger than a width between two adjacent fins 53in the second region 48. A conversion rate (shown by the trace 140) ofthe first dielectric layer 54 between the pair of adjacent fins 52 inthe first region 46 is higher than a conversion rate (shown by the trace150) of the first dielectric layer 54 between the pair of adjacent fins53 in the second region 48.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an intermediate stage inthe formation of a FinFET after completion of an anneal process toconvert the first dielectric layer 54 to the second dielectric layer 55.The embodiments of the present disclosure describe a process thatresults in the second dielectric layer 55 in the first region 46 and thesecond region 48 having a more uniform dielectric quality andcomposition. A conversion time for the entire thickness T1 of theconverted second dielectric layer 55 in the first region 46 and aconversion time for the entire thickness T2 of the converted seconddielectric layer 55 in the second region 48 can be controlled to within10 percent. In some embodiments the conversion of the entire firstdielectric layer 54 in the first region 46 to the second dielectriclayer 55 and the conversion of the entire first dielectric layer 54 inthe second region 48 to the second dielectric layer 55 can be controlledto end at the same time. This is achieved by using the structuredescribed above in FIG. 6, where the fins 52 have a height H1 that maybe in a range from about 100 nm to about 180 nm, or in a range fromabout 100 nm to about 200 nm, the semiconductor base 51 in the secondregion 48 has a height H2 that may be in a range from about 10 nm toabout 60 nm, or in a range from about 10 nm to about 100 nm, and thefins 53 in the second region 48 have a height H3 that may be in a rangefrom about 40 nm to about 170 nm, or in a range from about 10 nm toabout 100 nm. The structure and specific dimensions described above inFIG. 6 compensate for a difference in a conversion rate of the firstdielectric layer 54 between adjacent fins 52 in the first region 46 anda conversion rate of the first dielectric layer 54 between adjacent fins53 in the second region 48. The semiconductor base 51 reduces athickness of the first dielectric layer 54 in the second region 48 by anamount equal to height H2 and therefore reduces a conversion time neededto convert the entire first dielectric layer 54 in the second region 48to the second dielectric layer 55. This reduced conversion time toconvert the entire first dielectric layer 54 in the second region 48 tothe second dielectric layer 55 is then able to match a conversion timeneeded to convert the entire first dielectric layer 54 in the firstregion 46 to the second dielectric layer 55, despite a faster conversionrate of the first dielectric layer 54 in the first region 46. Inaddition, since the anneal process to convert the first dielectric layer54 to the second dielectric layer 55 in both the first region 46 and thesecond region 48 takes a same amount of time, a more uniform dielectricquality and composition of the second dielectric layer 55 is achievedbetween the first region 46 and the second region 48. For example, aconcentration of nitrogen in the second dielectric layer 55 in thesecond region 48 may be within 10 percent of a concentration of nitrogenin the second dielectric layer 55 in the first region 46.

In FIG. 10, a removal process is applied to the second dielectric layer55 to remove excess material of the second dielectric layer 55 over thefins 52 and the fins 53. In some embodiments, a planarization processsuch as a chemical mechanical polish (CMP), an etch-back process,combinations thereof, or the like may be utilized. The planarizationprocess exposes the fins 52 and the fins 53 such that top surfaces ofthe fins 52 and the fins 53 and the second dielectric layer 55 are levelafter the planarization process is complete. In embodiments in which amask remains on the fins 52 and the fins 53, the planarization processmay expose the mask or remove the mask such that top surfaces of themask or the fins 52 and the fins 53, respectively, and the seconddielectric layer 55 are level after the planarization process iscomplete.

In FIG. 11, the second dielectric layer 55 is recessed to form ShallowTrench Isolation (STI) regions 56. The second dielectric layer 55 isrecessed such that upper portions of the fins 52 and the fins 53 in thefirst region 46 and the second region 48 respectively, protrude frombetween neighboring STI regions 56. Further, the top surfaces of the STIregions 56 may have a flat surface as illustrated, a convex surface, aconcave surface (such as dishing), or a combination thereof. The topsurfaces of the STI regions 56 may be formed flat, convex, and/orconcave by an appropriate etch. The STI regions 56 may be recessed usingan acceptable etching process, such as one that is selective to thematerial of the second dielectric layer 55 (e.g., etches the material ofthe second dielectric layer 55 at a faster rate than the material of thefins 52 and the fins 53). For example, an oxide removal using, forexample, dilute hydrofluoric (dHF) acid may be used. The etch rate ofthe second dielectric layer 55 in the first region 46 and the secondregion 48 is dependent on the dielectric layer quality and compositionin each of the regions 46 and 48. The embodiments of the presentdisclosure describe a process that results in the second dielectriclayer 55 in the first region 46 and the second region 48 having a moreuniform quality and composition. This allows etch rate uniformity andcontrol in the first region 46 and the second region 48. As a result, aheight of the fins 52 and 53 that protrude from above the STI regions 56may be controlled more precisely, and yield can be increased. In someembodiments a top surface of the STI regions 56 may be at a same levelas a bottom of a recess interposed between adjacent fins 53 in thesecond region 48.

FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of an intermediate stage in themanufacturing of FinFETs, in accordance with alternate embodiments. FIG.12 shows fins 52 in a first region 122 and a second region 123 of thesubstrate 50 and fins 53 in a third region 124 and a fourth region 126of the substrate 50. The fins 52 in the first region 122 and the secondregion 123 may have a height H5 that may be in a range from about 100 nmto about 180 nm, or in a range from about 100 nm to about 200 nm. Thesemiconductor base 51 in the third region 124 and the fourth region 126may have a height H6 that may be in a range from about 10 nm to about 60nm, or in a range from about 10 nm to about 100 nm and the fins 53 inthe third region 124 and the fourth region 126 may have a height H7 thatmay be in a range from about 40 nm to about 170 nm, or in a range fromabout 10 nm to 100 nm. Adjacent fins 52 in the first region 122 may havea width W6 between sidewalls of the adjacent fins 52 in the first region122 and adjacent fins 52 in the second region 123 may have a width W7between sidewalls of the adjacent fins 52 in the second region 123. Thewidth W6 may be in a range from about 100 nm to about 300 nm and theWidth W7 may be in a range from about 40 nm to about 200 nm. Thesemiconductor base 51 in the third region 124 and the fourth region 126may have a width W8 that is in a range from about 40 nm to about 140 nm.Each of the fins 53 may have a width W9 that may be in a range fromabout 2 nm to about 20 nm. Adjacent fins 53 in the third region 124 andthe fourth region 126 may have a width W10 between sidewalls of theadjacent fins 53 that is in a range from about 15 nm to about 40 nm. Inaddition, a width W11 between a sidewall of an outermost fin 53 in thethird region 124 and a sidewall of an outermost fin 53 in the fourthregion 126 may be in a range from about 40 nm to about 100 nm.

In FIG. 12, the second dielectric layer 55 is recessed to form ShallowTrench Isolation (STI) regions 56. The second dielectric layer 55 isrecessed such that upper portions of the fins 52 in the first region 122and the second region 123, and upper portions of the fins 53 in thethird region 124 and the fourth region 126, protrude from betweenneighboring STI regions 56. The etch rate of the second dielectric layer55 in the first region 122, the second region 123, the third region 124,and the fourth region 126 is dependent on the dielectric layer qualityand composition in each of the regions 122, 123, 124, and 126. Theembodiments of the present disclosure describe a process that results inthe second dielectric layer 55 in the first region 122, the secondregion 123, the third region 124, and the fourth region 126 having amore uniform quality and composition. This allows etch rate uniformityand control in the first region 122, the second region 123, the thirdregion 124, and the fourth region 126. As a result, a height of the fins52 and 53 that protrude from above the STI regions 56 may be controlledmore precisely, and yield can be increased.

The process described with respect to FIGS. 2 through 11 is just oneexample of how the fins 52 and the fins 53 may be formed. In someembodiments, the fins may be formed by an epitaxial growth process. Forexample, a dielectric layer can be formed over a top surface of thesubstrate 50, and trenches can be etched through the dielectric layer toexpose the underlying substrate 50. Homoepitaxial structures can beepitaxially grown in the trenches, and the dielectric layer can berecessed such that the homoepitaxial structures protrude from thedielectric layer to form fins. Additionally, in some embodiments,heteroepitaxial structures can be used for the fins 52 and the fins 53.For example, the fins 52 and the fins 53 in FIG. 10 can be recessed, anda material different from the fins 52 and the fins 53 may be epitaxiallygrown over the recessed fins 52 and the fins 53. In such embodiments,the fins 52 and the fins 53 comprise the recessed material as well asthe epitaxially grown material disposed over the recessed material. Inan even further embodiment, a dielectric layer can be formed over a topsurface of the substrate 50, and trenches can be etched through thedielectric layer. Heteroepitaxial structures can then be epitaxiallygrown in the trenches using a material different from the substrate 50,and the dielectric layer can be recessed such that the heteroepitaxialstructures protrude from the dielectric layer to form the fins 52 andthe fins 53. In some embodiments where homoepitaxial or heteroepitaxialstructures are epitaxially grown, the epitaxially grown materials may bein situ doped during growth, which may obviate prior and subsequentimplantations although in situ and implantation doping may be usedtogether.

Still further, it may be advantageous to epitaxially grow a material inan n-type region (e.g., an NMOS region) different from the material in ap-type region (e.g., a PMOS region). In various embodiments, upperportions of the fins 52 and the fins 53 may be formed fromsilicon-germanium (Si_(x)Ge_(1-x), where x can be in the range of 0 to1), silicon carbide, pure or substantially pure germanium, a III-Vcompound semiconductor, a II-VI compound semiconductor, or the like. Forexample, the available materials for forming III-V compoundsemiconductor include, but are not limited to, indium arsenide, aluminumarsenide, gallium arsenide, indium phosphide, gallium nitride, indiumgallium arsenide, indium aluminum arsenide, gallium antimonide, aluminumantimonide, aluminum phosphide, gallium phosphide, and the like.

Further in FIG. 11, appropriate wells (not shown) may be formed in thefins 52, the fins 53 and/or the substrate 50. In the embodiments withdifferent well types, the different implant steps for the n-type region(not shown) and the p-type region (not shown) may be achieved using aphotoresist and/or other masks (not shown). The photoresist is patternedto expose the p-type region of the substrate 50. The photoresist can beformed by using a spin-on technique and can be patterned usingacceptable photolithography techniques. Once the photoresist ispatterned, an n-type impurity implant may be performed in the p-typeregion, and the photoresist may act as a mask to substantially preventn-type impurities from being implanted into the n-type region. Then-type impurities may be phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, or the likeimplanted in the region to a concentration of equal to or less than 10¹⁸cm⁻³, such as between about 10¹⁶ cm⁻³ and about 10¹⁸ cm⁻³. After theimplant, the photoresist is removed, such as by an acceptable ashingprocess.

Following the implanting of the p-type region, a photoresist is formedover the fins 52, the fins 53 and the STI regions 56 in the p-typeregion (not shown). The photoresist is patterned to expose the n-typeregion (not shown) of the substrate 50. The photoresist can be formed byusing a spin-on technique and can be patterned using acceptablephotolithography techniques. Once the photoresist is patterned, a p-typeimpurity implant may be performed in the n-type region, and thephotoresist may act as a mask to substantially prevent p-type impuritiesfrom being implanted into the p-type region. The p-type impurities maybe boron, boron fluoride, indium, or the like implanted in the region toa concentration of equal to or less than 10¹⁸ cm⁻³, such as betweenabout 10¹⁶ cm⁻³ and about 10¹⁸ cm⁻³. After the implant, the photoresistmay be removed, such as by an acceptable ashing process.

After the implants of the n-type region (not shown) and the p-typeregion (not shown), an anneal may be performed to repair implant damageand to activate the p-type and/or n-type impurities that were implanted.In some embodiments, the grown materials of epitaxial fins may be insitu doped during growth, which may obviate the implantations, althoughin situ and implantation doping may be used together.

FIGS. 13, 14A, 15A, 16A, 17A, 18A, 19A, 20A, 21A, and 22A show the firstregion 46 and the second region 48 which are not meant to be continuous.Although they seem adjacent the first region 46 may be physicallyseparated from the second region 48 (as illustrated by divider 33), andany number of device features (e.g., other active devices, dopedregions, isolation structures, etc.) may be disposed between the firstregion 46 and the second region 48. In FIG. 13, a dummy dielectric layer60 is formed on the fins 52 and the fins 53. The dummy dielectric layer60 may be, for example, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, a combinationthereof, or the like, and may be deposited or thermally grown accordingto acceptable techniques. A dummy gate layer 62 is formed over the dummydielectric layer 60, and a mask layer 64 is formed over the dummy gatelayer 62. The dummy gate layer 62 may be deposited over the dummydielectric layer 60 and then planarized, such as by a CMP. The masklayer 64 may be deposited over the dummy gate layer 62. The dummy gatelayer 62 may be a conductive or non-conductive material and may beselected from a group including amorphous silicon,polycrystalline-silicon (polysilicon), poly-crystallinesilicon-germanium (poly-SiGe), metallic nitrides, metallic silicides,metallic oxides, and metals. The dummy gate layer 62 may be deposited byphysical vapor deposition (PVD), CVD, sputter deposition, or othertechniques for depositing the selected material. The dummy gate layer 62may be made of other materials that have a high etching selectivity fromthe etching of isolation regions, e.g., the STI regions 56 and/or thedummy dielectric layer 60. The mask layer 64 may include one or morelayers of, for example, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, or thelike. In this example, a single dummy gate layer 62 and a single masklayer 64 are formed across the fins 52, the fins 53, and the substrate50. It is noted that the dummy dielectric layer 60 is shown coveringonly the fins 52 and the fins 53 for illustrative purposes only. In someembodiments, the dummy dielectric layer 60 may be deposited such thatthe dummy dielectric layer 60 covers the STI regions 56, extending overthe STI regions and between the dummy gate layer 62 and the STI regions56.

In FIGS. 14A and 14B, the mask layer 64 (see FIG. 13) may be patternedusing acceptable photolithography and etching techniques to form masks74. The pattern of the masks 74 then may be transferred to the dummygate layer 62. In some embodiments (not illustrated), the pattern of themasks 74 may also be transferred to the dummy dielectric layer 60 by anacceptable etching technique to form dummy gates 72. The dummy gates 72cover respective channel regions 58 of the fins 52 and the fins 53. Thepattern of the masks 74 may be used to physically separate each of thedummy gates 72 from adjacent dummy gates. The dummy gates 72 may alsohave a lengthwise direction substantially perpendicular to thelengthwise direction of respective epitaxial fins 52 and fins 53.

Further in FIGS. 14A and 14B, gate seal spacers 80 can be formed onexposed surfaces of the dummy gates 72, the masks 74, and/or the fins 52and the fins 53. A thermal oxidation or a deposition followed by ananisotropic etch may form the gate seal spacers 80. The gate sealspacers 80 may be formed of silicon oxide, silicon nitride, siliconoxynitride, or the like.

After the formation of the gate seal spacers 80, implants for lightlydoped source/drain (LDD) regions (not explicitly illustrated) may beperformed. In the embodiments with different device types, similar tothe implants discussed above in FIG. 11, a mask, such as a photoresist,may be formed over an n-type region, while exposing a p-type region, andappropriate type (e.g., p-type) impurities may be implanted into theexposed fins 52 and the exposed fins 53 in the p-type region. The maskmay then be removed. Subsequently, a mask, such as a photoresist, may beformed over the p-type region while exposing the n-type region, andappropriate type impurities (e.g., n-type) may be implanted into theexposed fins 52 and the exposed fins 53 in the n-type region. The maskmay then be removed. The n-type impurities may be the any of the n-typeimpurities previously discussed, and the p-type impurities may be theany of the p-type impurities previously discussed. The lightly dopedsource/drain regions may have a concentration of impurities of fromabout 10¹⁵ cm⁻³ to about 10¹⁹ cm⁻³. An anneal may be used to repairimplant damage and to activate the implanted impurities.

In FIGS. 15A and 15B, gate spacers 86 are formed on the gate sealspacers 80 along sidewalls of the dummy gates 72 and the masks 74. Thegate spacers 86 may be formed by conformally depositing an insulatingmaterial and subsequently anisotropically etching the insulatingmaterial. The insulating material of the gate spacers 86 may be siliconoxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, silicon carbonitride, acombination thereof, or the like.

It is noted that the above disclosure generally describes a process offorming spacers and LDD regions. Other processes and sequences may beused. For example, fewer or additional spacers may be utilized,different sequence of steps may be utilized (e.g., the gate seal spacers80 may not be etched prior to forming the gate spacers 86, yielding“L-shaped” gate seal spacers, spacers may be formed and removed, and/orthe like. Furthermore, the n-type and p-type devices may be formed usinga different structures and steps. For example, LDD regions for n-typedevices may be formed prior to forming the gate seal spacers 80 whilethe LDD regions for p-type devices may be formed after forming the gateseal spacers 80.

In FIGS. 16A and 16B epitaxial source/drain regions 82 are formed in thefins 52 and the fins 53. The epitaxial source/drain regions 82 areformed in the fins 52 and the fins 53 such that each dummy gate 72 isdisposed between respective neighboring pairs of the epitaxialsource/drain regions 82. In some embodiments the epitaxial source/drainregions 82 may extend into, and may also penetrate through, the fins 52and the fins 53. In some embodiments, the gate spacers 86 are used toseparate the epitaxial source/drain regions 82 from the dummy gates 72by an appropriate lateral distance so that the epitaxial source/drainregions 82 do not short out subsequently formed gates of the resultingFinFETs. A material of the epitaxial source/drain regions 82 may beselected to exert stress in the respective channel regions 58, therebyimproving performance.

The epitaxial source/drain regions 82 in an n-type region may be formedby masking a p-type region and etching source/drain regions of the fins52 and the fins 53 in the n-type region to form recesses in the fins 52and the fins 53. FIGS. 16A and 16B may be applied to either the n-typeregion or the p-type region. Then, the epitaxial source/drain regions 82in the n-type region are epitaxially grown in the recesses. Theepitaxial source/drain regions 82 may include any acceptable material,such as appropriate for n-type FinFETs. For example, if the fin 52 andthe fin 53 is silicon, the epitaxial source/drain regions 82 in then-type region may include materials exerting a tensile strain in thechannel region 58, such as silicon, silicon carbide, phosphorous dopedsilicon carbide, silicon phosphide, or the like. The epitaxialsource/drain regions 82 in the n-type region may have surfaces raisedfrom respective surfaces of the fins 52 and the fins 53 and may havefacets.

The epitaxial source/drain regions 82 in the p-type region may be formedby masking the n-type region and etching source/drain regions of thefins 52 and the fins 53 in the p-type region to form recesses in thefins 52 and the fins 53. Then, the epitaxial source/drain regions 82 inthe p-type region are epitaxially grown in the recesses. The epitaxialsource/drain regions 82 may include any acceptable material, such asappropriate for p-type FinFETs. For example, if the fin 52 and the fin53 is silicon, the epitaxial source/drain regions 82 in the p-typeregion may comprise materials exerting a compressive strain in thechannel region 58, such as silicon-germanium, boron dopedsilicon-germanium, germanium, germanium tin, or the like. The epitaxialsource/drain regions 82 in the p-type region may have surfaces raisedfrom respective surfaces of the fins 52 and the fins 53 and may havefacets.

The epitaxial source/drain regions 82 and/or the fins 52 and the fins 53may be implanted with dopants to form source/drain regions, similar tothe process previously discussed for forming lightly-doped source/drainregions, followed by an anneal. The source/drain regions may have animpurity concentration of between about 10¹⁹ cm⁻³ and about 10²¹ cm⁻³.The n-type and/or p-type impurities for source/drain regions may be anyof the impurities previously discussed. In some embodiments, theepitaxial source/drain regions 82 may be in situ doped during growth.

As a result of the epitaxy processes used to form the epitaxialsource/drain regions 82 in the n-type region and the p-type region,upper surfaces of the epitaxial source/drain regions have facets whichexpand laterally outward beyond sidewalls of the fins 52 and the fins53. In some embodiments, these facets cause adjacent source/drainregions 82 of a same FinFET to merge as illustrated by FIG. 16C. Inother embodiments, adjacent source/drain regions 82 remain separatedafter the epitaxy process is completed as illustrated by FIG. 16D. Inthe embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 16C and 16D, gate spacers 86 areformed covering a portion of the sidewalls of the fins 52 and the fins53 that extend above the STI regions 56 thereby blocking the epitaxialgrowth. In some other embodiments, the spacer etch used to form the gatespacers 86 may be adjusted to remove the spacer material to allow theepitaxially grown region to extend to the surface of the STI region 56.

In FIGS. 17A and 17B, a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) 88 isdeposited over the structure illustrated in FIGS. 16A and 16B. The firstILD 88 may be formed of a dielectric material, and may be deposited byany suitable method, such as CVD, plasma-enhanced CVD (PECVD), or FCVD.Dielectric materials may include phospho-silicate glass (PSG),boro-silicate glass (BSG), boron-doped phospho-silicate glass (BPSG),undoped silicate glass (USG), or the like. Other insulation materialsformed by any acceptable process may be used. In some embodiments, acontact etch stop layer (CESL) 87 is disposed between the first ILD 88and the epitaxial source/drain regions 82, the masks 74, and the gatespacers 86. The CESL 87 may comprise a dielectric material, such as,silicon nitride, silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride, or the like, havinga lower etch rate than the material of the overlying first ILD 88.

In FIGS. 18A and 18B, a planarization process, such as a CMP, may beperformed to level the top surface of the first ILD 88 with the topsurfaces of the dummy gates 72 or the masks 74. The planarizationprocess may also remove the masks 74 on the dummy gates 72, and portionsof the gate seal spacers 80 and the gate spacers 86 along sidewalls ofthe masks 74. After the planarization process, top surfaces of the dummygates 72, the gate seal spacers 80, the gate spacers 86, and the firstILD 88 are level. Accordingly, the top surfaces of the dummy gates 72are exposed through the first ILD 88. In some embodiments, the masks 74may remain, in which case the planarization process levels the topsurface of the first ILD 88 with the top surfaces of the masks 74.

In FIGS. 19A and 19B, the dummy gates 72, and the masks 74 if present,are removed in an etching step(s), so that recesses 90 are formed.Portions of the dummy dielectric layer 60 in the recesses 90 may also beremoved. In some embodiments, only the dummy gates 72 are removed andthe dummy dielectric layer 60 remains and is exposed by the recesses 90.In some embodiments, the dummy dielectric layer 60 is removed fromrecesses 90 in a first region of a die (e.g., a core logic region) andremains in recesses 90 in a second region of the die (e.g., aninput/output region). In some embodiments, the dummy gates 72 areremoved by an anisotropic dry etch process. For example, the etchingprocess may include a dry etch process using reaction gas(es) thatselectively etch the dummy gates 72 with little or no etching of thefirst ILD 88 or the gate spacers 86. Each recess 90 exposes and/oroverlies a channel region 58 of a respective fin 52 or fin 53. Eachchannel region 58 is disposed between neighboring pairs of the epitaxialsource/drain regions 82. During the removal, the dummy dielectric layer60 may be used as an etch stop layer when the dummy gates 72 are etched.The dummy dielectric layer 60 may then be optionally removed after theremoval of the dummy gates 72.

In FIGS. 20A and 20B, gate dielectric layers 92 and gate electrodes 94are formed for replacement gates. FIG. 20C illustrates a detailed viewof region 89 of FIG. 20B. Gate dielectric layers 92 are depositedconformally in the recesses 90, such as on the top surfaces and thesidewalls of the fins 52 and the fins 53 and on sidewalls of the gateseal spacers 80/gate spacers 86. The gate dielectric layers 92 may alsobe formed on the top surface of the first ILD 88. In some embodiments,the gate dielectric layers 92 comprise one or more dielectric layers,such as one or more layers of silicon oxide, silicon nitride, metaloxide, metal silicate, or the like. For example, in some embodiments,the gate dielectric layers 92 include an interfacial layer of siliconoxide formed by thermal or chemical oxidation and an overlying high-kdielectric material, such as a metal oxide or a silicate of hafnium,aluminum, zirconium, lanthanum, manganese, barium, titanium, lead, andcombinations thereof. The gate dielectric layers 92 may include adielectric layer having a k value greater than about 7.0. The formationmethods of the gate dielectric layers 92 may include Molecular-BeamDeposition (MBD), ALD, PECVD, and the like. In embodiments whereportions of the dummy gate dielectric 60 remains in the recesses 90, thegate dielectric layers 92 include a material of the dummy gatedielectric 60 (e.g., SiO₂).

The gate electrodes 94 are deposited over the gate dielectric layers 92,respectively, and fill the remaining portions of the recesses 90. Thegate electrodes 94 may include a metal-containing material such astitanium nitride, titanium oxide, tantalum nitride, tantalum carbide,cobalt, ruthenium, aluminum, tungsten, combinations thereof, ormulti-layers thereof. For example, although a single layer gateelectrode 94 is illustrated in FIG. 20B, the gate electrode 94 maycomprise any number of liner layers 94A, any number of work functiontuning layers 94B, and a fill material 94C as illustrated by FIG. 20C.After the filling of the recesses 90, a planarization process, such as aCMP, may be performed to remove the excess portions of the gatedielectric layers 92 and the material of the gate electrodes 94, whichexcess portions are over the top surface of the ILD 88. The remainingportions of material of the gate electrodes 94 and the gate dielectriclayers 92 thus form replacement gates of the resulting FinFETs. The gateelectrodes 94 and the gate dielectric layers 92 may be collectivelyreferred to as a “gate stack.” The gate and the gate stacks may extendalong sidewalls of a channel region 58 of the fins 52 and the fins 53.

The formation of the gate dielectric layers 92 in an n-type region (notshown) and a p-type region (not shown) may occur simultaneously suchthat the gate dielectric layers 92 in each region are formed from thesame materials, and the formation of the gate electrodes 94 may occursimultaneously such that the gate electrodes 94 in each region areformed from the same materials. In some embodiments, the gate dielectriclayers 92 in each region may be formed by distinct processes, such thatthe gate dielectric layers 92 may be different materials, and/or thegate electrodes 94 in each region may be formed by distinct processes,such that the gate electrodes 94 may be different materials. Variousmasking steps may be used to mask and expose appropriate regions whenusing distinct processes.

In FIGS. 21A and 21B, a gate mask 96 is formed over the gate stack(including a gate dielectric layer 92 and a corresponding gate electrode94), and the gate mask may be disposed between opposing portions of thegate spacers 86. In some embodiments, forming the gate mask 96 includesrecessing the gate stack so that a recess is formed directly over thegate stack and between opposing portions of gate spacers 86. A gate mask96 comprising one or more layers of dielectric material, such as siliconnitride, silicon oxynitride, or the like, is filled in the recess,followed by a planarization process to remove excess portions of thedielectric material extending over the first ILD 88.

As also illustrated in FIGS. 21A and 21B, a second ILD 108 is depositedover the first ILD 88. In some embodiments, the second ILD 108 is aflowable film formed by a flowable CVD method. In some embodiments, thesecond ILD 108 is formed of a dielectric material such as PSG, BSG,BPSG, USG, or the like, and may be deposited by any suitable method,such as CVD and PECVD. The subsequently formed gate contacts 110 (FIGS.22A and 22B) penetrate through the second ILD 108 and the gate mask 96to contact the top surface of the recessed gate electrode 94.

In FIGS. 22A and 22B, gate contacts 110 and source/drain contacts 112are formed through the second ILD 108 and the first ILD 88 in accordancewith some embodiments. Openings for the source/drain contacts 112 areformed through the first and second ILDs 88 and 108, and openings forthe gate contacts 110 are formed through the second ILD 108 and the gatemask 96. The openings may be formed using acceptable photolithographyand etching techniques. A liner (not shown), such as a diffusion barrierlayer, an adhesion layer, or the like, and a conductive material areformed in the openings. The liner may include titanium, titaniumnitride, tantalum, tantalum nitride, or the like. The conductivematerial may be copper, a copper alloy, silver, gold, tungsten, cobalt,aluminum, nickel, or the like. A planarization process, such as a CMP,may be performed to remove excess material from a surface of the ILD108. The remaining liner and conductive material form the source/draincontacts 112 and gate contacts 110 in the openings. An anneal processmay be performed to form a silicide at the interface between theepitaxial source/drain regions 82 and the source/drain contacts 112. Thesource/drain contacts 112 are physically and electrically coupled to theepitaxial source/drain regions 82, and the gate contacts 110 arephysically and electrically coupled to the gate electrodes 94. Thesource/drain contacts 112 and gate contacts 110 may be formed indifferent processes, or may be formed in the same process. Althoughshown as being formed in the same cross-sections, it should beappreciated that each of the source/drain contacts 112 and gate contacts110 may be formed in different cross-sections, which may avoid shortingof the contacts.

The embodiments of the present disclosure have some advantageousfeatures. The use of disclosed methods may result in the ability toconvert a first dielectric layer between a first pair of adjacent finshaving a first width between sidewalls of the first pair of adjacentfins and to convert a first dielectric layer between a second pair ofadjacent fins having a second width different from the first widthbetween sidewalls of the second pair of adjacent fins to a seconddielectric layer of more uniform quality and composition. This allowsfor etch rate control as well as etch uniformity in the seconddielectric layer between the first pair of adjacent fins and the seconddielectric layer between the second pair of adjacent fins during asubsequent etching process. In addition, methods disclosed allow for thecontrol of both the thickness and the depth uniformity of the convertedsecond dielectric layer in between the first pair of adjacent fins andthe converted second dielectric layer in between the second pair ofadjacent fins.

In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes forming a firstplurality of fins in a first region of a substrate, a first recess beinginterposed between adjacent fins in the first region of the substrate,the first recess having a first depth and a first width; forming asecond plurality of fins in a second region of the substrate, a secondrecess being interposed between adjacent fins in the second region ofthe substrate, the second recess having a second depth and a secondwidth, the second width of the second recess being less than the firstwidth of the first recess, the second depth of the second recess beingless than the first depth of the first recess; forming a firstdielectric layer over the first plurality of fins and the secondplurality of fins, where the first dielectric layer fills the firstrecess and the second recess; and converting an entire thickness of thefirst dielectric layer in the first recess and an entire thickness ofthe first dielectric layer in the second recess to a treated dielectriclayer, where a first rate of conversion of the first dielectric layer inthe first recess is higher than a second rate of conversion of the firstdielectric layer in the second recess. In an embodiment, the methodfurther includes recessing the treated dielectric, where after therecessing the first plurality of fins and the second plurality of finsprotrude above an upper surface of the treated dielectric layer, wherethe upper surface of the treated dielectric layer is level with a bottomsurface of the second recess. In an embodiment, the first depth is in arange from 100 nm to 180 nm and the second depth is in a range from 40nm to 170 nm. In an embodiment, a difference between the first depth andthe second depth is in a range from 10 nm to 60 nm. In an embodiment,after converting the entire thickness of the first dielectric layer inthe first recess and the entire thickness of the first dielectric layerin the second recess the treated dielectric layer has a firstconcentration of nitrogen in the first recess and a second concentrationof nitrogen in the second recess, the second concentration being within10 percent of the first concentration. In an embodiment, duringconverting the entire thickness of the first dielectric layer in thefirst recess and the entire thickness of the first dielectric layer inthe second recess the first rate of conversion of the first dielectriclayer in the first recess is in a range from 7.75 to 700 nm/(min)^(1/2).In an embodiment, during converting the entire thickness of the firstdielectric layer in the first recess and the entire thickness of thefirst dielectric layer in the second recess the second rate ofconversion of the first dielectric layer in the second recess is in arange from 6.2 to 600 nm/(min)^(1/2). In an embodiment, converting theentire thickness of the first dielectric layer in the first recess andthe entire thickness of the first dielectric layer in the second recessincludes exposing the first dielectric layer to an oxygen-containingenvironment. In an embodiment, converting the entire thickness of thefirst dielectric layer in the first recess and the entire thickness ofthe first dielectric layer in the second recess includes performing athermal anneal process in the oxygen-containing environment. In anembodiment, the treated dielectric layer includes an oxide.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, a method includes etching asemiconductor substrate to form a plurality of first fins in a firstregion of the semiconductor substrate, a first recess being interposedbetween adjacent first fins in the first region of the semiconductorsubstrate, the first recess having a first depth; and a plurality ofsecond fins in a second region of the semiconductor substrate, a secondrecess being interposed between adjacent second fins in the secondregion of the semiconductor substrate, the second recess having a seconddepth, where the first depth is larger than the second depth, a sidewallof an outermost fin of the plurality of first fins and a sidewall of anoutermost fin of the plurality of second fins having a same height;forming a first dielectric layer over the first plurality of fins andthe second plurality of fins, where the first dielectric layer fills thefirst recess and the second recess, the first dielectric layer includinga first dielectric material; and converting the first dielectricmaterial to a second dielectric material to form a second dielectriclayer, where at a first point of time during the conversion a firstthickness of the first dielectric material in the first region of thesemiconductor substrate is converted to the second dielectric materialand a second thickness of the first dielectric material in the secondregion of the semiconductor substrate is converted to the seconddielectric material, the first thickness being larger than the secondthickness, where the first point of time is earlier than a second pointof time at which the first dielectric material in the first region ofthe semiconductor substrate and the second region of the semiconductorsubstrate is fully converted to the second dielectric material. In anembodiment, converting the first dielectric material includes a thermalanneal process performed at a temperature in a range from 300° C. to700° C. In an embodiment, converting the first dielectric materialincludes a wet anneal performed at a pressure in a range from 400 Torrto 760 Torr. In an embodiment, the first recess has a first width thatis larger than a second width of the second recess. In an embodiment,after converting the first dielectric material to the second dielectricmaterial, a concentration of nitrogen in the second dielectric materialis in a range from 1×10¹⁹ atoms/cm³ to 1×10²¹ atoms/cm³.

In accordance with an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes afirst plurality of fins extending from a substrate, the first pluralityof fins having a first fin height that is in a range of 100 nm to 180nm; a raised base portion extending from the substrate, the raised baseportion having a first height that is in a range of 10 nm to 60 nm; asecond plurality of fins on the raised base portion, the secondplurality of fins having a second fin height, where a sum of the secondfin height and the first height is in a range of 100 nm to 180 nm, afirst width between a first sidewall of a fin of the first plurality offins and nearest sidewall of an adjacent fin of the first plurality offins being larger than a second width between a second sidewall of a finof the second plurality of fins and nearest sidewall of an adjacent finof the second plurality of fins; and an isolation layer between adjacentfins of the first plurality of fins. In an embodiment, the isolationlayer has a thickness equal to the first height. In an embodiment, theisolation layer includes a dielectric material that includes an oxide.In an embodiment, the isolation layer has a nitrogen concentration in arange from 1×10¹⁹ atoms/cm³ to 1×10²¹ atoms/cm³. In an embodiment, thesecond fin height of the second plurality of fins is in a range from 40nm to 170 nm.

The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that thoseskilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the presentdisclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they mayreadily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifyingother processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/orachieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein.Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalentconstructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, andalterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of forming a semiconductor device, themethod comprising: forming a first plurality of fins in a first regionof a substrate, a first recess being interposed between adjacent fins inthe first region of the substrate, the first recess having a first depthand a first width; forming a second plurality of fins in a second regionof the substrate, a second recess being interposed between adjacent finsin the second region of the substrate, the second recess having a seconddepth and a second width, the second width of the second recess beingless than the first width of the first recess, the second depth of thesecond recess being less than the first depth of the first recess;forming a first dielectric layer over the first plurality of fins andthe second plurality of fins, wherein the first dielectric layer fillsthe first recess and the second recess; and converting an entirethickness of the first dielectric layer in the first recess and anentire thickness of the first dielectric layer in the second recess to atreated dielectric layer, wherein a first rate of conversion of thefirst dielectric layer in the first recess is higher than a second rateof conversion of the first dielectric layer in the second recess.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising recessing the treated dielectriclayer, wherein after the recessing the first plurality of fins and thesecond plurality of fins protrude above an upper surface of the treateddielectric layer, wherein the upper surface of the treated dielectriclayer is level with a bottom surface of the second recess.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein the first depth is in a range from 100 nm to 180 nmand the second depth is in a range from 40 nm to 170 nm.
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein a difference between the first depth and the seconddepth is in a range from 10 nm to 60 nm.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein after converting the entire thickness of the first dielectriclayer in the first recess and the entire thickness of the firstdielectric layer in the second recess the treated dielectric layer has afirst concentration of nitrogen in the first recess and a secondconcentration of nitrogen in the second recess, the second concentrationbeing within 10 percent of the first concentration.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein during converting the entire thickness of the firstdielectric layer in the first recess and the entire thickness of thefirst dielectric layer in the second recess the first rate of conversionof the first dielectric layer in the first recess is in a range from7.75 to 700 nm/(min)^(1/2).
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein duringconverting the entire thickness of the first dielectric layer in thefirst recess and the entire thickness of the first dielectric layer inthe second recess the second rate of conversion of the first dielectriclayer in the second recess is in a range from 6.2 to 600 nm/(min)^(1/2).8. The method of claim 1, wherein converting the entire thickness of thefirst dielectric layer in the first recess and the entire thickness ofthe first dielectric layer in the second recess comprises exposing thefirst dielectric layer to an oxygen-containing environment.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, wherein converting the entire thickness of the firstdielectric layer in the first recess and the entire thickness of thefirst dielectric layer in the second recess comprises performing athermal anneal process in the oxygen-containing environment.
 10. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the treated dielectric layer comprises anoxide.
 11. A method of forming a semiconductor device, the methodcomprising: etching a semiconductor substrate to form: a plurality offirst fins in a first region of the semiconductor substrate, a firstrecess being interposed between adjacent first fins in the first regionof the semiconductor substrate, the first recess having a first depth;and a plurality of second fins in a second region of the semiconductorsubstrate, a second recess being interposed between adjacent second finsin the second region of the semiconductor substrate, the second recesshaving a second depth, wherein the first depth is larger than the seconddepth, a sidewall of an outermost fin of the plurality of first fins anda sidewall of an outermost fin of the plurality of second fins having asame height; forming a first dielectric layer over the first pluralityof fins and the second plurality of fins, wherein the first dielectriclayer fills the first recess and the second recess, the first dielectriclayer comprising a first dielectric material; and converting the firstdielectric material to a second dielectric material to form a seconddielectric layer, wherein at a first point of time during the conversiona first thickness of the first dielectric material in the first regionof the semiconductor substrate is converted to the second dielectricmaterial and a second thickness of the first dielectric material in thesecond region of the semiconductor substrate is converted to the seconddielectric material, the first thickness being larger than the secondthickness, wherein the first point of time is earlier than a secondpoint of time at which the first dielectric material in the first regionof the semiconductor substrate and the second region of thesemiconductor substrate is fully converted to the second dielectricmaterial.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein converting the firstdielectric material comprises a thermal anneal process performed at atemperature in a range from 300° C. to 700° C.
 13. The method of claim11, wherein converting the first dielectric material comprises a wetanneal performed at a pressure in a range from 400 Torr to 760 Torr. 14.The method of claim 11, wherein the first recess has a first width thatis larger than a second width of the second recess.
 15. The method ofclaim 11, wherein after converting the first dielectric material to thesecond dielectric material, a concentration of nitrogen in the seconddielectric material is in a range from 1×10¹⁹ atoms/cm³ to 1×10²¹atoms/cm³.
 16. A semiconductor device comprising: a first plurality offins extending from a substrate, the first plurality of fins having afirst fin height that is in a range of 100 nm to 180 nm; a raised baseportion extending from the substrate, the raised base portion having afirst height that is in a range of 10 nm to 60 nm; a second plurality offins on the raised base portion, the second plurality of fins having asecond fin height, wherein a sum of the second fin height and the firstheight is in a range of 100 nm to 180 nm, a first width between a firstsidewall of a fin of the first plurality of fins and nearest sidewall ofan adjacent fin of the first plurality of fins being larger than asecond width between a second sidewall of a fin of the second pluralityof fins and nearest sidewall of an adjacent fin of the second pluralityof fins, wherein a first ratio of the second fin height to the secondwidth is smaller than a second ratio of the first fin height to thefirst width; and an isolation layer between the adjacent fins of thefirst plurality of fins.
 17. The semiconductor device of claim 16wherein the isolation layer has a thickness equal to the first height.18. The semiconductor device of claim 16, wherein the isolation layercomprises a dielectric material that includes an oxide.
 19. Thesemiconductor device of claim 16 wherein the isolation layer has anitrogen concentration in a range from 1×10¹⁹ atoms/cm³ to 1×10²¹atoms/cm³.
 20. The semiconductor device of claim 16 wherein the secondfin height of the second plurality of fins is in a range from 40 nm to170 nm, and wherein a difference in height between the first fin heightand the second fin height is less than ten percent of the first finheight.